You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

• The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify

You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

• The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify

You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

• The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify

You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

• The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify what’s missing and how to fix it.

This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

🎧 Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story.

This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

🎧 Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story.

This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story.

This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story. #WritingPodcast #AuthorLife #StoryCraft #PlotDoctor #WritingTips

A little insight and maybe introspection.

You hit publish on your book—so why does it feel like something’s missing? In this short episode, publishing coach and editor Stacey Smekofske breaks down the publish hangover—the emotional crash and loss of momentum many authors experience after finishing a book. From false expectations about instant success to the dangerous pause that causes authors to disappear after launch, this is the part of the writing journey no one talks about.

If you’ve ever asked: “Why do I feel empty after publishing my book?” “What should I do after I hit publish?” “How do successful authors keep momentum going?” This episode is for you.

You’ll learn: Why finishing a book doesn’t automatically lead to visibility or sales

How authors lose momentum right after publishing

How to redirect that post-publish energy into your next smart move

Why your author mindset matters more than algorithms

Publishing isn’t the finish line—it’s the beginning of your author career. Learn more about building a sustainable author business at PrintToPro.com

Subscribe for weekly insights on writing craft, publishing, and the author business.

#WritingTips #PublishingAdvice #WriterLife #CreativeProcess #WritingTruths

Stacey is at Disney. Troy went rogue. And instead of hustle culture, he brought a message most authors desperately need to hear: Take. A. Nap.

In this solo episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert digs into the often-ignored reality of the author life: burnout isn’t a badge of honor, exhaustion isn’t productivity, and grinding yourself into rust won’t build a sustainable career.

He talks about Why rest is not quitting—it’s a strategy The difference between creative rest, business rest, and physical rest How constant marketing noise (ads, algorithms, AI, trends) is frying author brains Why writing the next book still matters more than chasing every shiny tactic How to stop bouncing between “must-do” strategies and start playing the long game

If you’re overwhelmed, tired, stuck, or feeling like you’re falling behind while everyone else “keeps up,” this episode is your permission slip to breathe and refocus on what actually moves the needle.

No hype. No hustle shaming. Just honest talk about staying human while building a writing career that lasts.

Listen in, unsubscribe from some noise, and remember: You’re not a machine. You’re an author. #ProsTalkingProse #AuthorLife #WritingBurnout #AuthorMindset #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #AuthorBusiness #CreativeRest #BurnoutRecovery #WriteTheNextBook

Are you setting ambitious author goals… or accidentally gaslighting yourself into burnout? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert kick off the new year with a no-BS conversation about realistic author goals, metrics that actually matter, and why chasing the wrong numbers is the fastest way to hate your writing life.

We dig into the KPIs authors should be tracking (and the ones you probably should stop obsessing over), including: Writing output that fits your real life Building readers you actually own (not borrowed from an algorithm) Understanding revenue without magical thinking Email lists, discoverability, and why social media isn’t the asset you think it is Why “write faster” is terrible advice for most authors And yes… why FUN might be the most overlooked metric of all

If you’ve ever felt behind, discouraged, or confused by conflicting publishing advice—this episode is your permission slip to stop chasing fantasy goals and start building a sustainable author business. Because your career isn’t broken. Your expectations might be.

Subscribe, hit play, and let’s reset how you measure success—before February wrecks your motivation.

#AuthorLife #WritingGoals #AuthorBusiness #PublishingPodcast #IndieAuthors #AuthorMindset #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #ProsTalkingProse #AuthorCEO #BurnoutRecovery #WritingAdvice

2026 is closer than you think—and authors who prepare now will have a serious edge.

Join Pros Talking Prose for a (broadcast 12/27/25) LIVE 2026 publishing outlook and Author Q&A, featuring special guest Vincent Zandri—bestselling author and industry veteran who’s seen publishing evolve through every major shift.

This is an honest, no-fluff conversation about what’s actually coming and how authors can adapt without losing their voice, rights, or sanity. We’ll talk about: Where the publishing industry is heading in 2026 What authors should start preparing for now Smart pivots for indie, hybrid, and traditionally published authors Building a sustainable author business—not just chasing trends

Your live questions, answered in real time

Whether you’re just starting out or recalibrating an established career, this LIVE session is designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

LIVE — Bring your questions and join the conversation.

#AuthorBusiness #Publishing2026 #AuthorQandA #ProsTalkingProse #PublishingTrends #IndieAuthors #HybridPublishing #TraditionalPublishing #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife

Publishing didn’t explode in 2025. It didn’t collapse either. It… buffered.

In this gloriously chaotic year-in-review episode, Stacey and Troy talk through what a lot of authors are quietly feeling but rarely saying out loud: the industry hit a reset button, AI showed up like a spicy autocomplete with opinions, reader culture got meaner, expectations got louder, and everyone somehow ended the year exhausted and behind—even when they weren’t.

We unpack: Why 2025 felt more like a recalibration than a breakout How AI is actually fitting into the writing process (hint: it’s a tool, not your brain) The rise of author hate, social pile-ons, and why engaging less might save your career Why debut novels aren’t sacred cows and perfectionism stalls growth Burnout, guilt, and why taking real time off might be the most professional move you make The uncomfortable truth: being human is now a competitive advantage

This episode is part publishing industry analysis, part author survival guide, and part permission slip to stop apologizing for needing rest—especially during the holidays.

And because we apparently can’t stop ourselves, we’re taking this conversation live.

📅 Join us LIVE on the 27th for a real-time Q&A where we’ll talk 2026 goals, publishing strategy, AI realities, and whatever else authors want to throw at us. Come caffeinated. Or tired. Both are valid.

#AuthorBurnout #CreativeBurnout #WritersBlock #WritingPodcast #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #AIandWriting #IndieAuthors #AuthorBusiness #BookPublishing #WritersOfYouTube

The publishing industry is chaotic, glitchy, and occasionally held together with duct tape—but your story? That part is solid. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dig into the hidden work behind every book you hold—the invisible labor, emotional investment, and sheer number of moving pieces that go into getting a story from a writer’s brain to a reader’s hands. From editors and designers to printers, platforms, deadlines, and distribution delays, publishing is rarely simple… and never instant.

We talk about why there are no true emergencies in publishing (even when it feels like everything is on fire), why authors often undervalue their work, and why finishing and publishing a book is more like completing a triathlon than clicking “publish.” If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, behind, underpaid, or tempted to quit—this episode is your reminder that: Your words matter Your book is not disposable And the work you’re doing is worth respecting (and pricing accordingly)

Whether you’re an indie author, traditionally published, or still working toward your first finished draft, this conversation will help you step back, breathe, and see the bigger picture of what it truly takes to make books—and why that effort deserves appreciation.

Because the industry might be a mess… but your story isn’t.

#ProsTalkingProse #PublishingPodcast #AuthorLife #IndieAuthors #BookPublishing #WritingCommunity #WritersOfYouTube #AuthorMindset #BehindTheBook #BookIndustry #SelfPublishing #TraditionalPublishing #AuthorBusiness #WritersSupportWriters #CreativeProcess

In this episode, Troy and Stacey dive into building a real reader community—because relying solely on Amazon is basically letting your author career grow up in an algorithmic inbred village. Sure, Amazon can boost sales… but it’s not a community. And if you’re serious about longevity, superfans, and NOT letting one tech giant decide your future, you’ve got to build something bigger, smarter, and more human.

We break down: Why Amazon’s ecosystem can’t be your only lifeline Where real communities are actually forming (TikTok, Discord, Substack & more) How to create superfans who support your whole author career What platforms are worth your time—and which ones are slowly draining your soul The power of human connection in an AI-heavy world How unique offers (Kickstarters, signed editions, behind-the-scenes content) create true loyalty Why being authentic beats being “algorithm-friendly” every day of the week Plus the usual chaos: puppy interruptions, rants, Myspace nostalgia, and questionable metaphors

Whether you're indie, hybrid, trad-curious, or just here for the snark, this episode helps you ditch the dependence, diversify your reach, and build a thriving community of real humans who actually care about your work.

Like. Subscribe. Follow. Comment (nicely). Tell us where YOU are building your community—and what’s working.

Your stories matter. Your readers matter. And your community is the backbone of your author business… not just Amazon’s algorithm.

#ProsTalkingProse #AuthorCommunity #AuthorBusiness #IndieAuthorLife #SelfPublishingTips #BookMarketing #WriterCommunity #BuildYourAudience #TikTokAuthors #SubstackWriters #DiscordCommunity #KickstarterBooks #ReadersAndWriters #PublishingIndustry #BookTok #WriteMoreSellMore #AuthorPlatform #PublishingAdvice #IndiePublishing #AuthorCEO